How young can Deaf students learn fingerspelling? At that age do they understand the connection to English?

How young can Deaf students learn fingerspelling? At that age do they understand the connection to English?

• A. 2 years old; Yes
• B. 2 years old; No
• C. 3 years old; Yes
• D. 3 years old; No

Answer: (B)

Fingerspelling can be introduced to Deaf children around age two. At this early stage, they can imitate the handshapes and sequences and begin using fingerspelling to represent words as part of communication. But understanding that these spelled-out letters map to English words and to English spelling and sounds is a literacy concept that typically isn’t solidified yet at age two. The connection between fingerspelled letters and English writing develops with later language and reading instruction, so it’s common that two-year-olds can learn the form, but not yet grasp the link to English.

Fingerspelling can be introduced to Deaf children around age two. At this early stage, they can imitate the handshapes and sequences and begin using fingerspelling to represent words as part of communication. But understanding that these spelled-out letters map to English words and to English spelling and sounds is a literacy concept that typically isn’t solidified yet at age two. The connection between fingerspelled letters and English writing develops with later language and reading instruction, so it’s common that two-year-olds can learn the form, but not yet grasp the link to English.